Rangers tamed

Rangers 0 Hibernian 1 Jackson 63 pen Attendance: 44,364

IT WAS not a good day for the fans of the Scottish champions. First they discovered that their idol Mark Hateley was moving to Queen's Park Rangers for pounds 1m. And then they saw their side lose to a 64th-minute penalty from Darren Jackson. It was the defiant Hibs' first Premier victory since 24 March 1990.

Rangers were almost as apologetic about Hateley's transfer as they were about their first league defeat this season. "The pounds 1m transfer was a good deal for Rangers and also for Mark Hateley," their chairman, David Murray, said. "He has given us five years' good service, and considering that he is 34 years of age it is a good move for him."

The game itself was a bite and scratch affair. The referee, Kenny Clark, had his work cut out to cope with the cut-throat tackling. In all, he booked six players - Paul Gascoigne and Richard Gough, of Rangers, and Hibs' Andy Millen, Steven Tweed, Pat McGinlay and Graeme Love.

The game hinged on the penalty. Hibs' youngster Kevin Harper was heading for goal when he was caught between Gough and Petric. The referee did not hesitate. Nor did Darren Jackson in hitting home the spot-kick. It was a body blow to Rangers. But even more worrying was the loss of their skipper, Richard Gough, who limped off with a shin injury three minutes later.

Rangers had pushed on Neil Murray after half-time but never seriously troubled Jim Leighton in the Hibernian goal. As the game reached its frantic conclusion, the Glasgow team made a couple of vehement penalty claims. Salenko went down after a tackle by McGinlay and a Stephen Wright drive appeared to be handled by Jackson. The referee was right to say no both times. Clearly it was not going to be Rangers' day.